JVC Jazz festival 2008 : Billy Hart Academy
"Of late, Theo Croker has been queuing up behind Jeremy Pelt for the title of New York's "upcoming new trumpet sensation," and on this evening he enjoyed headliner billing just below Hart's. The young man backs up his rep, as his meaty, hard-punching lines and big sound make it impossible not to sit up and take notice. Croker has begun playing at the Rubin on a regular basis with a variety of line-ups, and the museum's warm, wood- paneled performance space and "Harlem in the Himalayas" jazz series provide an optimal launching-pad for this enormously gifted and personable horn-player."
Interhiphop Blog
There are too many artist that I like. Too many! But for this occasion I would have to say that my favorite Hip-Hop artist is "Outkast". I just love there sound. I love the messages in there music. I love the music production and the general vibe. As for Jazz, my biggest influence will have to be John Coltrane. He was always on a search for something new musically. But he always searched through his vast musical knowledge of harmony and rhythm. A lot of integrity and spirituality.
Shanghai Live Music Layabozi.com
"Theo's playing was a beautiful call for avid ears wanting to listen to the virtue of raw humanity. He has the ability to play with honesty and to play straight, without any kind of costume, just as he is—not nicer, not less cool, not expecting anything from himself but what he is, take it or leave it. And if you take it, you may fall for it (or for him). It makes his sound so simple to recognize once you already know him, and that's why once you've listened to him you've got to respect him."
The Fundamentals Review: Ken Dryden
The grandson of the late Doc Cheatham, trumpeter Theo Croker's outstanding debut as a leader would have made his grandfather very proud. Assembling a group of presumably young lions (Croker was around 21 years old at the time of recording), the trumpeter wrote and arranged everything. Unlike many such projects, where a leader has the chops but isn't quite ready to showcase so much original material at once, Croker displays a surprising gift for creating memorable pieces that hold one's interest.
Testimony
"There are good, great andnice musical players, but then there are phenomenal instrumentalist such as Theo. I would place Theo in a class of musicians who will redirect the flow , change and alter the current of today's New Jazz. Theo has the ability and the intelligence to challenge the direction of Nu Music. Theo is one of today's titans. He is a Sankofa"
Donald Byrd
"He has the tools, the intelligence and the ability and the talents. The future looks bright for Croker."
Wynton Marsalis
"Theo Croker is one of the most promising and creative trumpeters on the horizon today and is also one of the most energetic artists I have ever encountered."
Marcus Belgrave
"I met Theo at Oberlin College. As soon as we met I knew that he was on, we hit it off. I had an opportunity to listen to his compositions and I was amazed. Theo is a great, talented, brilliant young trumpet player."
Bill Lee
"Theo has composed some interesting and challenging music played by young, talented musicians."
Robin Eubanks
"This man has made a remarkable impression thus far with his dedication to music. He is also an accomplished arranger and composer"
All About Jazz.com
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